The Hogs Back Brewery taproom is running a VAT-free promotion this January, cutting drinks prices by 20% throughout the month.
Hogs Back managing director Miles Chesterman pours a pint at the Tap
And the offer extends beyond Hogs Back’s own beer to the full range on the bar, including soft and hot drinks. Cask ales will be £4 a pint, and keg beers £4.66.
“Consumers are used to January sales, and this year the Brewery Tap is no exception,” said Hogs Back managing director Miles Chesterman.
“Twenty per cent off the price of all drinks will make a significant difference to our loyal customers, and we hope they will show their support by visiting the Tap more often and socialising during the loneliest month in the calendar.
“The additional point behind the offer is to support beleaguered British pubs that are the lynchpin of many communities. Pubs just about survived Covid, but are now buckling as a result of over-taxation, with a range of increased taxes — and VAT adding more tax to the taxes.
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“We have to try to get the message across to the chancellor Rachel Reeves that we need long term help, not more tax.”
Hogs Back executive chairman, Rupert Thompson, added: “Pubs and the wider hospitality sector have been hit by wave after wave of tax increases, which it simply cannot bear any longer. Unexpected business rate increases are a massive new blow on top of soaring employment taxes and new packaging taxes.
“With VAT a huge burden for the sector, over-taxation is closing pubs every week, and a return to a 12.5% VAT rate on food and drink in pubs would dramatically boost our bottom lines. We need another brave initiative like Eat Out To Help Out.”
